Merry Christmas taboo

[frustrated]

I am all for diversity and recognizing everyone's beliefs. However, I am very frustrated with the multitude of retailers who have banned Christmas from their vocabulary.
It seems they are quite content to reap the benefits of Christmas, hence today, the biggest shopping day of the year. However, in the so called name of political correctness, they are trying to completely secularize Christmas. The reason most of shop and give gifts this time of year is because we celebrate Christmas!
I for one plan to proclaim "Merry Christmas" where ever I shop. If I offend anyone, I am sorry. No one seems to care that I am offended by the obvious greed of retailers who gain so much from Christians this time of year, and yet want to deny them at the same time.
So to all who celebrate Christmas...Merry Christmas!

 

[dramacentral]

Merry Christmas to you

I am not Christian, and this is my own personal stance:

I do not have a problem saying "Merry Christmas" to those who do celebrate it. But since some people do not, I try to find out what holiday someone celebrates before I say "Merry Christmas" or anything else. I think that shows respect for their beliefs.

I think our holidays in America have become far too commercial, and it's a shame that the true spirit of our celebrations has become wrapped up (pardon the pun) in buying and gifts. The true gift is reaching the milestone of another year, being with family, and having the chance to celebrate our spirituality together.

I am not offended when those who don't know what my belief system is say "Merry Christmas" to me. I do appreciate it, however, when someone makes the effort to find out.

 

[anonymouse]

I agree

I read last year about a district (I think it was in Georgia) that forbid the mention of specific holidays. You couldn't wish a child a Happy Hanukah, a Merry Christmas or a Good Kwanzza. What you had to say (and you should say it out loud to see how ridiculous it sounds) is this: "Have a Swinging Holiday!" It is time for people to grow up. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that people have different beliefs and celebrate different holidays. I used to teach in a district where you could discuss the secular aspects of a holiday but not the religious aspects. For example, you could make latkes with your class and tell them that Jewish people eat fried foods to celebrate Hanukah but you couldn't explain the significance of eating foods fried in oil. You couldn't mention that Jewish people believe that a miracle took place that that caused the oil that should have lasted for one night lasted for eight nights. I am not saying that you should promote one religion over another but I see nothing wrong with stating the facts about what different people believe in a way that is appropriate for the particular age or grade.

 

[Roger]

Yes!

Merry Christmas and God Bless America!

 

[tia]

good grief!

"swinging" brings to mind some definitely non-school appropriate visions! ack!

 

[Miss C]

I agree

Merry Christmas to all. If you're gonna reap the benefit of the holiday, don't be ashamed to say what the holiday is!

 

[chitownteach]

When I worked in retail for several years, I learned that it was just as friendly and easy to say "happy holidays" as it was to say "merry christmas". I understand what you are saying but just because I celebrate Christmas doesn't mean that everyone who shops during November and December does the same. I'm not offended at all when people wish me a happy holiday season. To me, it's just respectful for those who don't celebrate.

 

[ogteacher]

Question for Roger

Roger,

Are you implying that people who don't celebrate Christmas are not patriotic Americans? Please explain.

Chris

 

[Mrs. G]

I think..

Roger meant that because we live in America we have the FREEDOM to believe in whatever we want and speak freely. It is what our nation was founded upon.

 

[musicbug]

Name game.....

I just say "enjoy the holidays!" Feel free to be wished well for what ever holidays make you happy. Life is too short to play word games or make anyone feel bad or left out.

 

[Mrs. Z in FL]

My opinion

I am not sure if you are referring to the workers or not...but

People who do not celebrate Christmas still have to work...they don't bring home a fatter paycheck when you spend more in December. So if the cashier says have a nice day and not Merry Christmas be glad you got a greeting and more on with your day. It could be worse... there are cahiers who don't say a word before giving you your total.

When I worked at a resturant people would get nasty because they are in a rush to get home to family...but they had no problem coming in 2 minutes before closing and keeping me from mine.

 

[REB]

Maybe....

Maybe....there should be a phrase that everyone who wants a "particular phrase" could say...like, "HappyHannakuh,Holidays,Kwanzza,Merry Christmas, and Feliz Navidad!" (did I leave anyone out?)



REB

 

[Laura]

Holiday time

Last Christmas season our pastor had a vent....Why do we send happy holidays cards? If you are celebrating Christmas send christmas cards Hannakah cards to Jewish friends/family and skip those who do not celebrate. If they choose not to celebrate or have other holidays to celebrate then that is great for them.

 

[Gloria]

Thank you and move on

I am christian and I do celebrate Christmas. However, I am not a mother and on Mother's Day, I have been wished Happy Mother's Day many times. I do not have children, so it mentally bothers me but I not going to make a big deal of it. I just say thank you and move on. Why do we have to always worry about others feelings? It is just a salutation, be gracious and move on, you probably will never see that person again so why make a big deal of it!

 

[teacher2]

The point is

that big business has no business dictating whether Christmas should be said outloud or not. As a Christian, I certainly celebrate Christmas, and I have respect for those who celebrate Hannaukka, or choose not to celebrate at all. I agree with the posters who pointed out that this is still a free country, and one that was founded on Judeo-Christian values.
Merry Christmas